Welcome to the First Year Blog!
Welcome back to the First Year Blog! It’s hard to believe, but we’re already closing in on the end of the first half term, and this week’s articles show just how much the First Years have packed in.
The sports reporters have been busy. There was a dramatic home win for the Cs on the 3G, a festival day for the As full of wins, losses and the odd draw, and a thrilling cup comeback for the Bs at Glyn that had more twists than a Bunsen burner hose. Elsewhere, a swimmer has turned the poolside into poetry, and another pupil has put the best bits of Hampton life into an acrostic, from choir rehearsals to lunch with friends. Our budding scientists also report back from a can-crushing Chemistry experiment, complete with a promise that explosions are next, so stand well back.
Our special shout outs are particularly impressive this week, from parkrun podiums and national relays to a badminton final and a morning on court that we are still jealous of.
Next week, the First Years head off to the South Downs and Windsor Castle, so expect plenty of fresh air, history and muddy shoes.
Avon Tyrrell Highlights
It may feel like a long time since your Avon Tyrrell adventure, especially with all the new experiences you’ve had since then! So, we thought it was the perfect time to remind you of what an amazing time you all had. Check out the highlights below:
Football Frenzy
With a face of determination and grit, I stepped onto the 3G, tenacious to keep the team’s winning streak. Representing the Hampton C team on home soil made us even more driven to get yet another win. Our opponents (Elizabeth College) wearing their stripy green kit, shook hands with us before the game commenced. Our coach – Mr Harrison – explained the tactics whilst we were warming up, with each player anticipating a highly enjoyable and excitable match. We were all proud of what the team had achieved thus far. As the referee blew his whistle, we applied early pressure to the opposition. It wasn’t long before our striker smashed the ball into the net. 1-0 Hampton. For a moment, everything went silent before the cheers of the crowd rushed back in. The whole team erupted – all our hard work had paid off. Once we started, we couldn’t be stopped! When half time came, all the players were proud of the current scoreline. It was 2-0. We stepped back onto the emerald pitch energised and revitalised. Although we conceded soon after kick-off, we kept our heads high and gave it our all. In the dying moments of the game, Jacob C received the ball and after some flashy skills, he struck the ball into the bottom corner to make it 5-1. The keeper stood no chance! After the match we thanked the other team for the action-packed match. We kept our heads up and tried our best. We were rewarded with yet another well-deserved win. Come on Hampton!!!!
By Jacob P (1B)
On Friday, 2 October, Mr Worrall’s U12B team played their first cup game at Glyn in Epsom. The game started off with an early goal from Glyn followed by an immediate response from us with a good follow up goal from Peter (1J). It didn’t take long before we took the lead with a good pass from Raymond(1B) and a brilliant finish from James (1L) right in the roof of the net. After Glyn equalised and it being 2-2 at half time Glyn took the lead again with a free kick which went into the top corner. Our heads didn’t drop though as I was put through on goal, and I buried it through the keeper’s legs to make the scores level. As I scored another and there being a mistakable own goal, we were 5-3 up when Alex (1L) made the score line even bigger with a rocket of a goal into the top bins. Then Leo (1H) won us a corner in the last seconds in the game, Alex put a wicked ball in the box for Raymond to head it into the corner to wrap up an amazing performance from the Bs.
Travelling home we were all thinking of lifting that trophy and the next round of the ESFA Cup.
By Alfie DR (1B)
rugby Festival Time
Lining up on the pitch the Hampton U12A team prepared for the festival with excitement bursting around us. Running through our strategy, we anticipated the moment when the starting whistle would blow. Suddenly, the opposing team arrived at the pitch. We stared at each other with intimidating looks as suddenly the familiar, high-pitched sound, whizzed through the air. Just behind the ball shot out fiercely, we leapt out of our positions and began our defence. Fighting as hard as we could, we scored along then the other team did, suddenly the tally rose as high as a mountain!
Along the day, the Hampton team experienced many of the same anticipation. We flew through many wins, losses and draws. Despite the hard-fought day we could celebrated the final two wins beating our opponents over double their score! Even with the losses I still had a superb and enjoyable day this memory will definitely stay with me along Hampton Schools Future victories!
By Julian C (1W)
Marvellous Music
There was some superb music on show in the Hammond Theatre this week. Take a look at just some of the highlights below and see if you can spot any First Years:
Perfect Poetry
Happy and joyful days to come
Applying for as many clubs as you can
Mentally and physically supported
Piers to support you at all costs
Training for sports more intense and fun than ever
Ooooohing and aaaaaaahing at experiments in science
No one left out and included in everything
Singing and dancing for a rehearsal in choir
Clubs attracting many talented students
Hilarious lessons and enjoyable activities
Outdoor education bringing an unbelievable amount of joyful comments
Objectives achieved for the day
Lunching with our friends and filling our tummies up
All these qualities and activities are what makes Hampton so special to me or to you. Feeling that acceptance, independence, freedom and responsibility is the true meaning I have felt in my first few weeks. And about all the help Hampton is providing us with I believe we have a range of freedom for our future. So that even from the first day of term, I just wanted to say “Hampton est optimus” which translates to “Hampton is the best”
By Juwon K (1W)
The pool glows bright beneath the lights,
blue water trembling, cold and clear.
Chlorine stings my tired eyes
as nervous swimmers gather near.
A whistle cuts across the air,
and suddenly, we dive.
The water rushes past my ears
I kick, I pull, I strive.
My heartbeat pounds against my chest,
my arms grow heavy, but I fight.
Each stroke carries me toward the wall,
each breath becomes a burst of light.
Then hands touch tile. The race is done.
I climb out, gasping for air,
wondering if I swam enough
to earn a place among them there
By Aadi R (1W)
the GOAT of Tennis
Let’s hear from Leo M (1H) on his very exciting weekend on the tennis court:
When I woke up, I felt excitement racing through my veins as I realised that today I was going to share a court with the GOAT of tennis! Arriving at the O2 Arena, I saw my tennis friends chatting amongst themselves, full of the same enthusiasm. As the event was sponsored by UNIQLO, we were all given identical branded kit to wear. Once changed, we waited anxiously for the call on to court in the same stadium that would later host the Laver Cup. We were elated to discover that another tennis legend Tim Henman was there too. Then it was time, we all lined up to welcome Roger Federer, high-fiving him as he walked past – I thought I would never wash my hands again! Next we did some tennis drills and got some coaching tips from the great man himself. And to cap off a brilliant morning, I played doubles against Roger and Tim, now that really was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
By Leo M (1H)
Chemistry Cans
In Chemistry last week we were doing an experiment where we were using cans, a tub of water, a Bunsen burner, a tripod and a heatproof mat. Basically, we were trying to see what would happen once we had heated the can and once the air (oxygen and H2O) on the inside got trapped and decreased and the air on the outside increased.
The experiment shows that if you have more particles on one side, there is greater force which pushes the respective side of the can in and compresses it. Here the water inside the can began to evaporate and as it was partially closed can there was not enough area for air to come into the can. This means that you now have more pressure particles on the outside than you have on the inside then that means that the pressure particles on the outside will press into the can and crumple it up once you return it into a normal temperature; just like what would happen to a can if you put far enough down into the ocean (Mariana Trench) because it has the same concept except you don’t have to return it to its normal temperature.
Overall, the experiment went well. My lab partner Archunan V (1B) and I were taking on my most feared task in chemistry; getting a flame from the teacher’s Bunsen burner to light ours. Another one of my feared challenges was turning off the gas tap and we did that too, but we turned it off on a roaring flame so then you couldn’t see the flame, and someone could’ve burnt themselves. Luckily, we turned everything back on and then turned everything off properly on a safe flame (yellow and orange). Next session can explosions!
By Arjun M (1B)
SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS!
A big well done to Zavian M (1J) who came first at Osterley Junior Parkrun last weekend with a time of 7:07 for 2k. He’s on a mission to try and achieve around 6:50 to qualify for the Parliament Hill meet.
Last weekend, Harry H (1H) was selected to represent his club, Aldershot & Farnham District (AFD), at the National Road Relays in Birmingham. The race is made up of teams of three, with each runner completing a 3.88km leg. Harry ran the second leg for his team and recorded a time of 13:54 — the fastest leg of the three AFD runners. A superb run from Harry!
William S (1L) represented Surrey and played in the Leicestershire U12 Doubles Tournament organised by the Leicestershire Badminton Organisation. The Tournament lasted all day against players from different counties all around the country. William and his partner achieved second place in the final, unfortunately losing to a strong pair ranked first and ninth in the UK. Well done William!
We love to hear about what you have been getting up to outside of school and to celebrate your successes in the First Year Blog! Please do send any information about any of your achievements through to Mr Harrison (ch.harrison@hamptonschool.org.uk).
Tutee of the Week
Every week, the First Year Tutor team nominate a Hamptonian who they have been particularly impressed with and Mr Hill and Mr Fuldner present him with a certificate and a tasty treat to eat!
Congratulations to Zayn N (1W) on being named this week’s Tutee of the Week!
Zayn consistently volunteers to help others out of the kindness of his heart, he is welcoming to all, and truly embodies Hampton values. Great job, Zayn!
THE HAMPTON HUNT
Each week I will set you a challenge where you need to find out a random fact, number or indeed anything else around the School – you won’t be able to do this from home! You have until the end of Wednesday to complete the challenge; you will find out in next week’s blog if you’re correct, and you will be given a merit by your Form Tutor the following Monday. And who knows – you might get to know the School better in the process!
Last week’s challenge: Where might you find a Dr Who Tardis at School The answer was in the Physics/History Quad! A big well done to Archunan V, Benji P, Pedro LBA, Max L, Arjun I, Aryan P, Nikhil S, James S, Muhammad K, Ethan D, Jaden C, Ediz G, Oscar CV, Willis L, Christian A, Akhil V, Jacob P, Oliver T, James Z, Juwon K, Josh J, Zayn A, Auryn V. Damon N, Jake P, Neel M, Jacob D, Idris O, James B, Arjun P and James A.
This week’s challenge is:
Find the heaviest element printed on the stone benches in the quad?
Have a great weekend!
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